Ray Flynn: Vatican Recognition of Palestine Can Help Peace

Some people will complain about the Vatican recognizing Palestine and opening diplomatic relations, but the move could lead to a more peaceful Middle East, Ray Flynn, former mayor of Boston and former ambassador to the Holy See, told Newmax TV on Wednesday.

The past efforts of the United Nations, American presidents and other world leaders have done nothing to bring peace between the Palestinians and Israel, Flynn told "Newsmax Prime." "But now Pope Francis has decided that he is, through humility and through truth, going to try to move this peace process forward in the Middle East."
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Not everyone will be happy about it, Flynn admitted, but added that the move brings in the moral persuasion of the pope and the entire Roman Catholic Church.

Flynn noted that when he was the U.S. ambassador to the Vatican during the Clinton administration the Vatican began diplomatic relations with Israel.

"That had a very positive, important effect," Flynn said. "Hopefully, diplomatic relations between the Vatican and Palestine will also have a powerful, important effect in bringing peace and stability to the Middle East."

Israel naturally will be apprehensive about the move, Flynn said, because its job is to ensure the safety of its own citizens.

"They live in a very hostile neighborhood," he said. Pope Francis deserves credit, but faces an uphill battle, Flynn added.

"Nobody should be disillusioned and thinking we're on the road to peace, but it's a great first step," he said.

Francis isn't looking to win the Nobel Peace Prize, but probably will if his efforts are successful, Flynn said.

"Look what he's doing in Cuba. You may disagree with it, but he also is a strong voice in the encouragement of the United States and Cuba," he said. "Look what he did with the genocide in Armenia. ... He was the first person to have the courage to say this was genocide and moved the ball forward."

Some people will complain about the Vatican recognizing Palestine and opening diplomatic relations, but the move could lead to a more peaceful Middle East, Ray Flynn, former mayor of Boston and former ambassador to the Holy See, told Newmax TV on Wednesday.
The past...